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Subaru Forester Specifications & Features

The 2023 Subaru Forester is a small crossover with an air of ruggedness and a functional interior. Although it doesn’t have the most enjoyable driving characteristics when compared to competing SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan, it is still a quiet and comfortable ride that will get you to your next camping location without issue. The Forester makes it simple to transport your belongings because of its spacious rear cargo compartment, which can hold larger goods and the smart storage cubbies that are positioned throughout the remainder of the vehicle. Although AWD is standard, the Forester lacks much power from its 182-hp flat-four engine. The Forester is richly equipped, except for the basic model, and all variants include Subaru’s suite of driver-assistance systems as standard.

What’s New?

The Forester receives no aesthetic updates for 2023 after receiving one last year. The price-effective base and Premium trims, as well as the tough Wilderness and luxurious Touring versions, are still available. The Forester’s cabin is simple and unadorned, with a comfortable driving posture and an excellent outside view. The interior of our Touring model was tastefully finished with caramel-colored leather on the seats, door panels, and dash; the rest of the cabin also had textured plastic trim that looked and felt high quality, while the glossy-black plastic on the center stack and the chromed and matte-metallic plastic trims spruced things up.

Subaru Forester Engine, Power, Acceleration & Performance

The same 2.5-liter flat-four cylinder engine, with 182 horsepower and a towing capacity of 1500 pounds, powers all Forester versions. The distinctive AWD system of Subaru is powered by a CVT. The Forester Wilderness test car took 8.0 seconds to reach 60 mph during testing; while not exactly an exciting performance, it will satisfy the needs of the majority of purchasers. For those seeking additional power, choose the CR-V or the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage turbocharged models. The Forester’s handling is adequate for an SUV without any athletic goals. The steering is precise, the ride is smooth and elegant, and the brakes are powerful enough for emergency stops.

Subaru Forester Mileage

2023 Subaru Forester MileageCityHighway
Forester26 mpg33 mpg
Forester Fuel-Economy

The Forester should satisfy buyers looking for efficiency thanks to its EPA fuel-economy ratings of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is comparable to most of the compact crossover sector.

Dimensions & Space

2023 Subaru Forester Dimensions
Length182.7 in
Width72.2 in
Height68.9 in
Wheelbase104.9 in
Cargo Volume27 ft3
Airbags6 Airbags
Forester Dimensions

A touchscreen infotainment system utilizing Subaru’s newest Starlink interface is standard on all Forester variants. A larger 8.0-inch monitor is optional on the Sport but standard on the Limited and Touring variants, while a 6.5-inch display is standard on the Base, Premium, and Sport models. For front-seat occupants, there are two USB ports; two additional plugs, which are optional and are located on the back of the center console, are available for rear-seat occupants to use to recharge their cell phones. Although navigation is an option, lower-end models come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which can broadcast turn-by-turn directions from the user’s device. Navigation is optional. All models save the base Forester come equipped with onboard Wi-Fi via a 4G LTE cellular connection.

Pricing

2023 Subaru Forester TrimsPrice (USD)
Base$27,620
Premium$30,620
Sport$32,190
Limited$34,300
Wilderness$35,245
Touring$37,720
Forester Price

We believe the Premium model delivers the best balance of pricing and features, even though the Limited and Touring trims are substantially finer. In addition to interior amenities like a panoramic sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, reclining rear seatbacks, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system, the exterior upgrades—17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, and body-color side-view mirrors—make it look less like a rental car.

Specifications, Quarter Mile, 0-60 Mph & Top-Speed

2023 Subaru Forester SpecificationsSpecs
EngineDOHC 16-valve flat-4
DrivetrainAWD
Horsepower182 hp
Torque176 lb-ft
0-60 MPH8.0 sec
0-100 MPH24.1 sec
1/4 Mile16.3 sec
Top-Speed115 mph
Forester Specs

Conclusion

Interior that is good for carrying cargo, with room for adults in both rows of seats, and with a smooth ride. The Outback station wagon is more appealing due to its slow acceleration and overly basic base model. Although the Forester excels at being utilitarian and conveying an outdoorsy vibe, other SUVs provide more rewarding driving characteristics.